Surge-Protected Peripheral Devices

Abstract

A computing system including: a host system; at least one device, mechanically connected to the host system, each device having an active state and an inactive state, wherein each device is conductively disconnected from the host system when the inactive state is enabled; and a mechanism for the host system to switch each device between the active state and the inactive state Preferably, at least one device is connected to the host system via a connector. Preferably, the device is hard-wired to the host system. Preferably, some wires of at least one device are isolated from the host system via a mechanical contactor. Preferably, some wires of at least one device are isolated from the host system via an optical isolator. Preferably, the system further includes: a switching battery; and a mechanism for charging the battery when at least one device is disconnected from the host system.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 940,421, filed May 28, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.[0002]This patent application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ of the same inventors, which is entitled “METHODS FOR PROTECTING PERIPHERAL DEVICES FROM SURGES” and filed on the same day as the present application. That patent application, also claiming priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 940,421, is incorporated in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The present invention relates to systems for protecting a peripheral device in a computing system from damage due to surge currents.[0004]In addition to other capabilities, personal computers provide users with storage memory for digital content. The amount of media created by a user is increasing due to the pervasive use of portable devices (e...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides systems for protecting peripheral devices in a computing system from damage due to surge currents. This is achieved by using a reliable non-volatile storage device that is connected to a host system but is conductively disconnected most of the time. The non-volatile storage device has a high reliability due to a low usage duty-cycle. The system also includes a mechanism for switching each device between an active state and an inactive state, wherein each device is conductively disconnected from the host system when in the inactive state. The system further includes a switching battery and a mechanism for charging the battery when at least one device is disconnected from the host system. Additionally, the system includes a mechanism for reversibly conductively connecting at least one device to the host system. These features improve the reliability and longevity of the secondary device, which is powered on much less frequently than the main storage device."

Problems solved by technology

Stationary backup devices (e.g. external hard-disk drives and remote backup services) are not available when the user is traveling or working off-line.

The use of a different location on a hard-disk drive, or a second hard-disk drive on the same computer for backup is not always possible.

Furthermore, the hard disk itself has some probability of crashing, either due to extended use or due to extended power cycling.

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